Elgin Duellist Fencing Club will host the Highland Open Fencing Tournament later this month.
Fencers from as far afield as Shetland and Warwick will travel to Elgin to take part in the event at Elgin High School on September 23 and 24.
The Highland Open is Britain’s most northernly nationally ranked competition and one of the Scotland’s oldest fencing competitions after celebrating its 50th anniversary last year.
Elgin Duellist Fencing Club on track for record entries
Elgin Duellist Fencing Club head coach Robin Paterson said: “We are on track to repeat the high number of entries we secured last year in the men’s and women’s foil, epee and sabre categories. So far, we have 70 entries from fencers representing over 15 fencing clubs.
“We are also delighted that we will have a record number of Elgin Duellists competing.
“Of the expected 19 entries from our club, our youngest Highland Open competitor is Owen Lewis.
“At the age of 13, the second year Forres Academy pupil is just old enough to be eligible to compete for the first time in the men’s epee category.
“This will be a brilliant learning experience for Owen who has won bronze and silver medals in the Scottish Youth Development Series this year and is part of the Scottish Fencing Pathways Training Programme.”
Elgin Duellist Fencing Club Championships hailed a success https://t.co/Zy6w2lBZIG pic.twitter.com/HivELZKCpl
— P&J Sport (@PandJSport) December 14, 2022
Paterson added: “At the age of 71, our oldest Elgin duellist competitor is our club secretary Michael Hawkins.
“This will be the second time that he has fought in the men’s sabre category and Michael will be looking to better his highly commendable 26th place from last year.
“Elsewhere, we also have great hopes for fellow club coach and Scottish internationalist Callum Sutherland (25) who previously won the men’s epee title in 2019.
“Callum will however have to overcome last year’s winner and ex-Olympian Hugh Kernohan from Culloden Fencing Club if he is to win the gold medal.
“For many of our club members, this may be the only time that they have an opportunity to compete against some of the top-ranking fencers in Scotland.
“With the nearest fencing tournaments usually held in the Central Belt of Scotland, we want to give our Elgin Duellists an experience that they will never forget.”
Free taster sessions
Elgin Duellist Fencing Club will be hosting free taster sessions in plastic fencing during the tournament for primary school aged children.
The sessions will start at 3pm on Saturday September 23 at Elgin High School and 2pm the following day.
There is no need to book a place in advance. Anyone with any queries can contact Robin Paterson on (01343) 541302.
